Load carrier apparatuses and systems

Abstract

A bicycle carrier includes a base, a bicycle tray, a wheel holder, and a wheel securement arm. The bicycle tray can couple to the base and be configured to support a bicycle. The wheel holder can couple to the bicycle tray and be configured to translate relative to the bicycle tray. The wheel securement arm can rotatably couple to the bicycle tray or the wheel holder and be configured to secure a bicycle wheel in the wheel holder.

1 .- 117 . (canceled) 
     
     
         118 . A wheel securement arm for a bicycle carrier, the wheel securement arm comprises:
 a first arm portion;   a second arm portion coupled to the first arm portion, wherein the first arm portion is moveable relative to the second arm portion;   an actuator housing disposed at a distal end of the first arm portion, wherein an actuator aperture is formed through the actuator housing, and the actuator housing comprises a track extending along a portion of an interior edge of the actuator aperture; and   an actuator disposed in the actuator aperture,   wherein a distal end of the actuator is disposed along the track.   
     
     
         119 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the track prevents lateral movement of the actuator. 
     
     
         120 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the actuator is a lever. 
     
     
         121 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the distal end of the actuator slides along the track. 
     
     
         122 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 121 , wherein the distal end of the actuator comprises a slot, and wherein the slot at least partially surrounds the track. 
     
     
         123 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the actuator aperture is the only aperture extending through the actuator housing. 
     
     
         124 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the actuator comprises a linkage recess configured to receive a linkage of a latch mechanism, and wherein when the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position the actuator translates the linkage to operate the latch mechanism. 
     
     
         125 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the actuator pivots about an actuator pivot. 
     
     
         126 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 125 , wherein the actuator pivot is disposed in the actuator housing. 
     
     
         127 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 125 , wherein the track has a radius centered on the actuator pivot. 
     
     
         128 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the first arm portion is slideably disposed in the second arm portion. 
     
     
         129 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the actuator is configured to disengage a locking mechanism such that the first arm portion is extendible relative to the second arm portion from a first length to a second length greater than the first length. 
     
     
         130 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the actuator housing further comprises a wheel recess configured to contact a bicycle wheel. 
     
     
         131 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 130 , wherein the wheel recess is disposed adjacent to the actuator aperture such that a horizontal plane extends through the actuator aperture and the wheel recess. 
     
     
         132 . The wheel securement arm of  claim 118 , wherein the actuator aperture comprises a first portion disposed on a first side of the actuator facing away from the first arm, and wherein an area of the first portion increases when the actuator is moved toward the first arm. 
     
     
         133 . A bicycle carrier, comprising:
 a bicycle tray configured to support a bicycle;   a wheel securement arm comprising:
 a housing rotatably coupled to the bicycle tray, 
 an extendable portion coupled to the housing; and 
 an actuator housing coupled to the extendable portion, the actuator housing comprising an aperture and an actuator disposed in the aperture, wherein the actuator is guided along a track extending along a portion of an interior edge of the aperture, 
   wherein the actuator is configured to disengage a locking mechanism such that the extendable portion translates relative to the housing.   
     
     
         134 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 133 , wherein the actuator is configured to pull the locking mechanism to disengage the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         135 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 133 , wherein the actuator is a lever pivotally coupled to the actuator housing, and the track corresponds to an arc path of the lever. 
     
     
         136 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 133 , wherein the track prevents lateral movement of the actuator. 
     
     
         137 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 133 , wherein a distal end of the actuator slides along the track 
     
     
         138 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 137 , wherein the distal end of the actuator comprises a slot, and wherein the slot at least partially surrounds the track.